Grafton Cemetary Viewpoint

Grafton Ghost Town is an abandoned small town 7 miles outside Zion National Park and the modern towns of Rockville and Springdale, Utah.  To get there from Highway 9, get off on Bridge Lane residential road and cross the Virgin River on a historic single track iron bridge- then  head west. At the point where Bridge Lane bends south, a lesser, unpaved road continues roughly parallel with the ri...

Wire Mesa off the Smithsonian Butte Backcountry Byway is a fantastic place to camp in southeastern Utah even if you do not plan on visiting Zion, just a few miles to the north. There several backcountry campsites on the Mesa, with the northwestern-most site giving the best views overlooking the Virgin River Valley and the Grafton Ghost Town. To get there, take the Byway south off of Grafton Roa...

Smithsonian Butte Backcountry Byway is gorgeous 9.5 mile road that runs between Rockville near the entrance to Zion National Park and Apple Valley UT, and affords excellent places to camp & boondock *as long* as it is 0.5 miles from the road itself (and there are numerous turn offs). To get there take Utah Highway 9 and a left (if you're coming from the east) or a right (if you're coming f...

Windmill trail and trailhead sits just down the road from Gooseberry Mesa Trailhead in Apple Valley, Utah. Head out on this figure-8 loop for as long as you want. If you're smart, you'll bring your MTB, and you can ride the singletrack once you're done getting your run in.This is also a great spot to set up camp and get great starlit skies.

This incredibly scenic ride is just out of Zion National Park and is a great place to escape the tourists. The ride starts at the end of Dalton Wash Rd just off of Route 9. High clearance vehicles are recommended and one should not attempt to drive this road in wet conditions. If you are having trouble finding a campsite in the park itself, camping is allowed at the top of the Guacamole Mesa.Fr...

Zion National Park. Truly one of the beauties of the American Southwest. With red walls and orange sunsets, Zion is a must-see. However, during the busy season of the parks, finding a campsite that hasn't been snagged can be difficult. That's why I'd suggest looking for a quieter, equally as beautiful location to camp. Also, it's free, so that's pretty nice. From the town of never-ending bed an...